It couldn't have come at a worse time for many merchants, such as florists and candy stores, which depend on Valentine's Day each year for a large percentage of their business.

It's also a problem for those who wish to show their loved ones how much they care.
If you couldn't get to a store in person to buy a gift, there was always the option of phoning in an order or placing an order online.

But if the store or the mail service couldn't get a delivery truck through, then you were totally out of luck.